Interactions between heterochromatin and the nuclear lamina are mediated by structural proteins that function to tether heterochromatin to the nuclear periphery. Here, we present an overview of the PRR14 chromatin tether, focusing on PRR14 protein structure and the mechanisms underlying PRR14 interactions with heterochromatin and the nuclear lamina in interphase and mitosis.

The nuclear envelope plays an essential role in organizing the genome inside of the nucleus. The inner nuclear membrane is coated with a meshwork of filamentous lamin proteins that provide a surface to organize a variety of cellular processes. A subset of nuclear lamina- and membrane-associated proteins functions as anchors to hold transcriptionally silent heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery. While most chromatin tethers are integral membrane proteins, a limited number are lamina-bound. One example is the mammalian proline-rich 14 (PRR14) protein. PRR14 is a recently characterized protein with unique function that is different from other known chromatin tethers. Here, we review our current understanding of PRR14 structure and function in organizing heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery.